GSLV-Mk3 take-off clears way for human spaceflight

Isro is looking at 10 missions before January, culminating with Chandrayaan-2, in which it intends to land a rover on the dark side of the moon.

BENGALURU: India successfully launched its most powerful rocket, GSLV-Mk3, that will eventually be the vehicle to carry a rover to the moon and a human mission to space by 2022.

With Wednesday’s launch, the homegrown third-generation rocket—geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV)—will be operational to carry commercial satellites, a crucial step that will enable India’s space agency to compete globally in the 3-4 tonne category of satellites.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is looking to also use the rocket for its second mission to the moon—Chandrayaan-2 in January—and eventually to send astronauts to space by 2022.

“This fantastic vehicle will carry human mission (to space) three years from now,” Isro chairman K Sivan said at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, the country’s rocketlaunching station. In August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India would send astronauts from its soil by 2022.

The second developmental flight of the rocket on Wednesday hurled a 3.42 tonne experimental multibeam communication satellite that will have a capability to beam high-speed internet to remote areas — Northeastern states and Jammu and Kashmir. The Gsat-29 satellite has been designed with a new platform for three-tonne class satellites. The satellite will reach its intended orbit in the next few days, powered by electric propulsion technology built by Bellatrix Aerospace, a startup that has patented more efficient microwave electro-thermal thrusters.

Electric propulsion allows Isro to pack more transponders in a satellite of similar weight than through propulsion by chemical fuel. “There is nearly 80-90% contribution of the Indian industry in this rocket,” Sivan said.

Isro is looking at 10 missions before January, culminating with Chandrayaan-2, in which it intends to land a rover on the dark side of the moon.

The Gsat-29 satellite also has onboard the Q/V-Band communication payload, which is intended to demonstrate future high throughput satellite system technologies. A Geo High Resolution Camera will carry out high-resolution imaging. Optical Communication Payload will demonstrate data transmission at a very high rate through optical communication link.

The first successful mission of GSLV Mark III in 2014 was an experimental suborbital flight. Subsequently, GSLV Mark III-D1 launched GSAT-19, a high throughput communication satellite, with a lift-off mass of 3,150 kg, into the geosynchronous transfer orbit on June 5, 2017, Isro said.

ET IN THE CLASSROOM

WHAT’S GSLV MARK III?The GSLV Mark III is a heavy rocket that ISRO has been developing over the last ten years. It can lift loads of four tonnes into a geostationary orbit. The earlier rocket, GSLV Mark II, could lift only 2.5 tonnes. GSLV Mark III has three stages, while the Mark II had four stages. Mark III also uses Indian cryogenic engine CE-20, which is indigenously designed and developed.
WHY IS ITS SUCCESS IMPORTANT FOR ISRO?So far, ISRO had only one commercial launcher, the PSLV. Wednesday’s success gives it another vehicle to compete in Global satellite launch market. The Chandrayaan II mission will be launched early next year on GSLV Mark III. Gaganyan, human space flight scheduled for 2022, will also use GSLV Mark III.

WHAT IS GSAT-29?GSAT-29, launched by GSLV Mark III, is a communication satellite aimed at providing highthroughput services to rural India. It is also an experimental satellite, with new technologies in Q (microwave) band and V band being tried for the first time. It has a high resolution camera. It also has an optical communication link.

WHY IS IT A MILESTONE?The primary purpose of GSAT-29 is to provide Kuband transponders for communication. In recent times, broadcaster have not had enough transponders for use over India. But it also provides ISRO a test-base for future satellite technologies.